¿Usted comercia con los Estados Unidos? Podría obtener un visado
Shirin Navabi • April 3, 2025
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Para los propietarios de negocios internacionales y los empresarios que participan en el comercio transfronterizo con los Estados Unidos, la oportunidad de ampliar las operaciones y establecer una presencia física en el país puede ser más accesible de lo esperado. El visado E-1 Treaty Trader (Comerciante de Tratado)
está diseñado específicamente para facilitar este tipo de actividad empresarial y ofrece una vía estratégica para que las personas que cumplan los requisitos vivan y trabajen en Estados Unidos mientras gestionan o desarrollan relaciones comerciales.
Aunque 2025 ha traído consigo una tendencia de cambios en la política de inmigración, el visado E-1 sigue destacando como una opción viable y acogedora. A pesar del aumento del escrutinio en varias categorías de inmigración, este visado sigue siendo adecuado para aquellos que participan en el comercio constante y cualificado con Estados Unidos. Su estructura y propósito se alinean bien con las realidades empresariales actuales, por lo que es una opción estable incluso en medio de los cambios de política.
El visado E-1 está disponible para los nacionales de países que mantienen un tratado de comercio y navegación con Estados Unidos. A diferencia de los visados basados en inversiones, el visado E-1 no exige un umbral monetario fijo, sino que hace hincapié en el intercambio comercial activo, como la transferencia regular de bienes, servicios o tecnología.
Este visado es aplicable a una amplia gama de sectores, incluidos, entre otros, los de fabricación, logística, servicios profesionales, consultoría, finanzas, turismo y tecnología. Si más del 50% de su comercio internacional se realiza con Estados Unidos y la actividad empresarial es constante y está bien documentada, el visado E-1 puede encajar perfectamente en su modelo de negocio actual.
Además de su flexibilidad, el visado E-1 es renovable mientras continúe la actividad comercial. También amplía los beneficios a los miembros de la familia que reúnan los requisitos: los cónyuges y los hijos solteros menores de 21 años pueden acompañar al titular principal del visado, y los cónyuges pueden solicitar autorización de trabajo en Estados Unidos, lo que ofrece un apoyo añadido y oportunidades económicas para la familia.
Esta categoría de visado es especialmente adecuada para los profesionales de empresas que ya operan en mercados internacionales y desean formalizar o ampliar su presencia en Estados Unidos. El visado recompensa el compromiso activo, el rendimiento comercial demostrado y las asociaciones comerciales a largo plazo.
Si usted está actualmente involucrado en el comercio con los Estados Unidos y está considerando expandir sus operaciones de negocios, el visado de Comerciante de Tratado E-1 puede proporcionar una ruta clara y efectiva hacia adelante. Nuestros abogados en Santos Lloyd Law Firm están aquí para ayudarle a evaluar sus calificaciones y guiarle a través de cada etapa del proceso con claridad, estrategia y confianza.
Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que aquí lea.
On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries . The administration states that this “visa freeze” is intended to review security protocols, “reduce risks,” and control immigration flows. However, the immediate reality is that this change in policy has temporarily suspended visa processing and restricted travel for applicants from numerous countries across the globe. While the legal landscape surrounding these suspensions is highly fluid and subject to change, it is important to consider how this “visa freeze” might impact your current status or immigration plans. The scope of the restrictions varies drastically depending on your country of origin and specific visa category. Most notably, a nationality-based travel ban restricts visa issuance for 19 countries : Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Beyond this targeted ban, a broader freeze affects applicants from a designated list of up to 75 countries, leading to indefinite delays for many visa petitions. However, it is important to note that immigrant visa applications first need to be processed through USCIS, which has not paused processing applications from the 75 countries. Thus, it is important to contact an attorney to understand at what point in the process this visa freeze may affect your case. While Brazil is included in the list of 75 countries, at the time of this publication, the freeze does not include non-immigrant visas for Brazil . Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for specific purposes, such as tourism, studying, or temporary work. This means that Brazilian applicants can still safely pursue non-immigrant employment options, such as O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or P visas for internationally recognized athletes, without being subjected to the current travel bans or suspensions. This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. There are many changes and uncertainties, so please consult with a qualified attorney at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. to understand how these evolving policies might affect your specific case
Recent data in 2026 shows a sharp increase in Requests for Evidence across employment-based visa categories such as EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O, and H-1B. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are no longer reserved for borderline cases; even robust petitions for high-level talent are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The expansion of the USCIS Vetting Center means automated tools are cross-referencing every petition, triggering RFEs for even the smallest inconsistencies. For EB-2 NIW petitions, adjudicators are increasingly questioning the "National Importance" of a candidate’s endeavor. Even for those with impressive credentials, USCIS now demands evidence of how their work specifically benefits the U.S. on a prospective basis. For O-1A and O-1B visas, officers are applying narrower interpretations of "distinction" and "extraordinary ability," often mischaracterizing evidence already present in the record. Additionally, a troubling 2026 trend is the correlation between Premium Processing and RFEs . For discretionary categories like EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, Premium Processing has increasingly become a "fast track" to a poorly reasoned RFE. Reports indicate that adjudicators, pressured by 15-business-day timelines, may be relying on AI-assisted vetting tools that trigger automated RFEs with general and boilerplate language, rather than a thorough review and analysis of supporting documents and evidence filed. With USCIS employing more rigorous AI-driven vetting and a narrower interpretation of visa criteria, the margin for error has disappeared . As such, ensure you consult with an experienced immigration attorney before filing a petition. ' If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
